Brain Power When you are learning a new circus skill/trick you are working the left side of the brain. When you are juggling/using a circus skill you are working the right side of the brain. No matter how long you have been juggling you are always learning new tricks/styles whilst juggling or using a circus skill so you are always building both sides of the brain.
(For more official brain information see the 3 links below)
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/01/22/offbeat.juggling.brain.reut/
http://cnn.hu/2007/HEALTH/05/24/pl.juggling/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3417045.stm
Physical Fitness
Juggling is a great way to exercise! Because it is fun, people can spend hours practicing. It is also good bending and stretching exercises. (From picking up dropped equipment!)
The repetitive motion of throwing and catching builds muscle and tones existing muscles. As people progress, they may move on to juggling heavier objects - a fun way to do weight training!
Pedal-go’s and unicycling can give a good cardio vascular work out.
Hand-eye co-ordination
Circus Skills will help to improve your hand-eye co-ordination. You will find that any other sporting activity you do, will benefit from learning to juggle.
Ambidexterity
People learning circus skills are always taught that as soon as they learn how to do a trick with their stronger hand, that they should then learn to do the trick using their weaker hand.
Balance
Physically – Your physical balancing can improve if you master the Pedal-go or unicycle!
Mentally - Your body and mind have to work in balance with each other to make the moves possible.
Improved motor skills
Juggling is a skill which requires throwing and catching skills, rhythm and timing, hand-eye co-ordination. These in turn encompass both fine and gross motor co-ordination.
Rhythm and Timing
Different tricks involve different speeds and controlling a good rhythm will improve the linking of different tricks.
Stress Reliever
You reduce stress because Juggling encourages a mental and physical state known as 'relaxed concentration' in which the mind and body are able to be focused and alert whilst remaining calm and relaxed. This means in order to give your attention to juggling / circus skills you need to put your concerns to one side and fully focus.
Persistence/Perseverance
When you learn a new circus skill you inevitably drop or go wrong. The student will move past these drops by persevering with the tricks they are working on until they conquer it. All of a sudden, drops/mistakes don't matter. They are just a stepping stone to success!
Self esteem
Circus skills are great confidence builders! They can be learnt quickly and are very rewarding. If the student then goes on to perform in front of their peers it builds even more.
Social Skills
Circus skills are great for developing teamwork. When a student takes part in a circus skills workshop they will find they will want to teach others their new skills and find out what their peers have learnt. They will encourage each other and form new friendships.
Communication
When sharing a new trick with a peer the student will have to think about his/her communication. They will have to analyze the trick they are thinking of and break it down into smaller steps, they will then have to give clear instructions both verbally and physically - this can sometimes be harder than learning the trick in the first place, however, when the instructions prove successful it is very rewarding for the 'new teacher.'